Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries surged by 40.42 per cent to $6.379 billion during the first seven months of FY25 from $4.543bn a year ago. The trade gap with the regional countries widened mainly due to higher imports from China, India and Bangladesh. In contrast to last year, exports to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka increased unusually in July-January FY25. Th
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistan to prioritise climate adaptation measures at federal and provincial levels to build resilience against natural disasters triggered by extreme weather events, including floods and droughts. The team has recommended stringent measures to prevent construction near rivers, nullahs, other waterways and forests, alongside plans for energy-effi
The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed eleven power distribution companies (Discos) to collect 18 per cent sales tax on the gross value of electricity supplied and rejected the current practice of net metering deductions. In his order on the complaint of a K-Electric consumer, the ombudsman has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement the decision of sales tax collection o
The government’s first attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIAC) cost the national exchequer $4.3 million, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatisation was informed on Tuesday. Secretary Privatisation Jawad Paul informed the committee that $4.3m had been paid to the financial adviser Ernst & Young (E&Y) out of a total fee of $6.8m, representing 63
Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday closed on a bullish note, powered by a pre-budget rally that saw the benchmark KSE-100 index surge over 1,500 points. Analysts attributed the positive momentum to a robust economic outlook, fuelled by finance minister's comments on rising remittances, higher foreign exchange reserves, low inflation and support for the construction industry. The index c